U.S. stock futures steady as Fed meeting looms large

Stocks

Summary:

U.S. stock futures were steady as investors awaited a widely expected Fed rate cut. Soft inflation and weakening labor data boosted easing hopes, while oil prices dipped and key earnings reports loom.

U.S. stock futures were little changed Monday, consolidating after two straight weekly gains with investors turned their attention to this week’s Federal Reserve meeting, which is widely expected to deliver an interest-rate cut.

At 05:35 ET (10:35 GMT), Dow Jones Futures slipped 3 points, or 0.1%, while S&P 500 Futures inched 8 points, or 0.1%, higher and Nasdaq 100 Futures gained 65 points, or 0.3%.

All three major U.S. stock indexes recorded positive weeks last week, their second in a row, with the S&P 500 and NASDAQ Composite also notched four-day winning streaks on Friday, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average has been positive in three of the last four sessions.

Caution ahead of Fed decision

This positive tone exists as many investors expect the Fed to ease monetary policy on Wednesday, especially after the delayed release of September’s core personal consumption expenditures price index — the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge — came in softer than expected on Friday.

That cooler inflation reading, combined with signs of a softening labor market and fragile consumer spending, has reinforced the case for the Fed to provide more policy support.

There’s little in the way of economic data to change the narrative Monday, although Tuesday’s JOLTS job openings data could take on additional importance given the monthly official jobs report is now being released after the Fed meeting.

Fed funds futures are pricing in a roughly 88% chance of a Fed cut, according to CME’s FedWatch tool.

The language used by the Fed officials, especially in the post-meeting statement and the projections for 2026, will be closely watched.

"The key question is what will the Fed signal for next year, given that we will be getting a new forecast update from them," ING analysts said in a note.

"As such, the most dovish they could possibly be is to put a second rate cut for their 2026 forecast, but they will be reluctant," they added.

Lululemon, Costco earnings awaited

Corporate earnings are also set to play a role in market direction, with results due from the likes of Lululemon , Costco , Broadcom, Oracle, and Adobe this week.

Separately, S&P Global said Carvana Co, CRH PLC , and Comfort Systems will join the S&P 500 index on Dec. 22, a change that typically sparks repositioning among index-tracking funds.

Crude hand back some gains

Oil prices slipped lower Monday, falling from near two-week highs on Monday as investors look to the Federal Reserve for guidance.

Brent futures dropped 0.9% to $63.20 a barrel, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 0.9% to $59.54 a barrel.

Both contracts closed Friday’s trading session at their highest levels since November 18.

Aside from the Fed meeting, progress towards peace in Ukraine remains slow, and Reuters reported that the Group of Seven countries and the European Union are in talks to replace a price cap on Russian oil exports with a full maritime services ban, which would likely further curb supply from the world’s second-largest oil producer.

Source: investing

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Warren Takunda

Economic

China’s exports returned to growth in November after an unexpected contraction in October, pushing its trade surplus in dollar terms for 2025 past the $1 trillion mark for the first time, according to data released Monday.

Exports climbed 5.9% from a year earlier in November while imports rose just under 2%.

The customs data released on Monday also showed that shipments to the U.S. dropped nearly 29% year-on-year. But as trade with the U.S. weakens, China is diversifying its export markets throughout Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America.

China’s exports had contracted just over 1% in October. November’s worldwide exports of $330.3 billion exceeded economists’ estimates. Imports totaled $218.6 billion for the month.

The nearly $1.08 trillion trade surplus for the first 11 months of this year is a record high, surpassing the $992 billion surplus for all of 2024, based on official data compiled by FactSet.

A year-long trade truce between China and the U.S. was reached at a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in late October in South Korea. The U.S. has lowered its tariffs on China, and China has promised to halt its export controls related to rare earths.“It’s likely that November exports have yet to fully reflect the tariff cut, which should feed through in the coming months,” ING Bank chief economist for Greater China Lynn Song wrote in a report.

China’s factory activity contracted for an eighth straight month in November, according to an official survey, and economists said it was still early to determine whether there was a real rebound in external demand following the U.S.-China trade truce.

With exports still going strong, economists generally expect China to meet its target of around 5% annual growth for this year.

Chinese leaders outlined a focus on advanced manufacturing for the next five years following a high-level meeting in October. It also highlighted the need to boost domestic consumption, which could help address trade imbalances.

A meeting of the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s decision-making Politburo was held on Monday, led by Xi, to discuss economic plans for 2026, according to the Xinhua state news agency. It said Chinese leaders reiterated a focus on “pursuing progress while ensuring stability.”

A readout from Xinhua said China needs to better coordinate its domestic economic work in the face of global “trade struggles.”

Businesses and investors are paying close attention to China’s annual Central Economic Work Conference, which is expected to take place later this month and could map out economic priorities for the next year in more details.

“Trade diversification will remain a long-term strategy for China to fight the trade war and manage external exigencies,” said Chi Lo, Global Market Strategist at BNP Paribas Asset Management.

The recent stabilization of trade relations with Washington is unlikely to last long and the global trade environment will probably continue to be volatile, he said, as China-U.S. relations “remain in a stalemate” despite their temporary trade truce.

Still, some economists believe that China will continue to gain export market share in coming years.

Morgan Stanley predicts by 2030, China’s market share in global exports will reach 16.5%, up from about 15% currently, fueled by its edge in advanced manufacturing and high-growth sectors such as electric vehicles, robotics and batteries.

“Despite persistent trade tensions, continued protectionism, and G20 economies taking up active industrial policies, we believe China will gain more share in the global goods export market,” Morgan Stanley Chief Asia Economist Chetan Ahya said in a recent note.

Source: AP

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Gerik

Economic

Ambitious Goals Meet Harsh Realities in Railway Overhaul

Argentina, a leading global exporter of soybeans, corn, and lithium, is embarking on an ambitious initiative to modernize and privatize its neglected freight railway network. The move, led by President Javier Milei, is a centerpiece of his broader strategy to reduce state burdens, attract foreign investment, and revitalize the economy. The first tender set for early 2026 will cover the Belgrano Cargas network, comprising the country’s three largest freight lines spanning nearly 8,000 kilometers.

The overarching goal is to drastically lower freight costs for inland producers and boost export competitiveness, especially from remote agricultural and mining regions. But while the plan holds long-term economic promise, the structural degradation of the railway system poses a steep challenge to implementation.

Historical Decline Undermines Present Capacity

According to Alejandro Núñez, president of Belgrano Cargas y Logística, Argentina’s current rail cargo volumes are lower than in 1970, despite agricultural output having multiplied sixfold since then. Today, the network transports just 7.5 million tons annually 60% of which are agricultural goods often on rails so deteriorated that derailments are common and cargo theft, especially of soybeans, is a recurring issue.

This mismatch between production growth and transport infrastructure exposes the core causal barrier to competitiveness: Argentina’s logistics system is outdated, inefficient, and overdependent on costly road freight. While rail accounts for just 5% of domestic cargo transport, Brazil moves 20% by rail and the U.S. and Canada exceed 40%.

Privatization Linked to Broader Economic Strategy

The privatization effort aligns with President Milei’s ideological push to shrink the public sector and attract capital into critical sectors. Officials view railway upgrades as essential to achieving the government’s export target of $100 billion annually by 2032, up from $71.5 billion recorded through October 2025. Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno has underscored that reducing inland transport costs especially from provinces like Salta to Rosario’s port zone will be key to this export push.

In practical terms, transporting grain from Salta to Rosario is currently more expensive than shipping the same volume from Rosario to Vietnam. This reveals a direct cost inefficiency rooted not in global trade dynamics, but in domestic infrastructure failure.

Investment Interest and Infrastructure Cost Outlook

The modernization plan will require significant capital. Núñez estimates a minimum of $800 million to bring current lines up to standard. That figure could rise substantially as additional 11,000 kilometers of idle rail lines are included in future tenders.

Major players are already showing interest. Grupo México Transportes (GMXT) is expected to bid and is reportedly prepared to invest up to $3 billion if awarded the contract. Media reports also suggest agricultural giants like Bunge, Cargill, and Louis Dreyfus, along with Rio Tinto, may join the bidding process. While none of the companies have publicly confirmed their plans, their involvement would inject considerable momentum into the project.

Boosting Agricultural and Mining Logistics

Experts argue that a revamped railway system could transform Argentina’s internal supply chain. Alfredo Sesé of the Rosario Stock Exchange notes that over half of Argentina’s agricultural production lies more than 300 kilometers from port. Given that trucking costs range from 7 to 9 cents per ton per kilometer, compared to rail’s sub-5 cent average, the savings from improved rail access would be substantial, especially for distant farms.

Mining, particularly lithium and copper, also stands to benefit. Roberto Cacciola of the Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies emphasized the need for reliable logistics to support existing projects and bring new extraction operations online in the coming years. As the world’s fourth-largest lithium exporter, Argentina is under pressure to streamline its mineral logistics to meet rising global demand.

While Argentina’s railway privatization and modernization initiative offers a bold blueprint for economic renewal, its success will hinge on overcoming entrenched inefficiencies, securing substantial investment, and navigating a complex political and logistical landscape. If realized, the project could redefine Argentina’s position in global grain and mineral markets. But with decades of underinvestment and structural decay to reverse, the journey from vision to reality will be a long one.

Source: Reuters

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Michelle

Stocks

Economic

It's been another frenetic year in China's electric vehicle market. Xiaomi continued its stunning rise from smartphone maker to EV darling, while market leader BYD's runaway growth stalled out.

Regulatory scrutiny increased, with policymakers focusing their attention on everything from the long-running price war, zero-mileage used cars and flush door handles.

Technology advances continued apace, with BYD and CATL going head-to-head to develop ultra-fast charging batteries and carmakers increasingly making advanced driver-assistance systems more widely available.

So what does 2026 have in store? Here are five key things to watch:

Can BYD Bounce Back?

BYD started this year with a target to sell 5.5 million vehicles, building on last year's record 4.25 million. But after a strong start, sales have tailed off — particularly after steep price cuts invoked the wrath of government regulators — forcing the company to lower its objective for this year. BYD's earnings have declined the past two quarters, and the stock has slumped around 36% from its May peak.

The question is whether this ends up being just a blip for China's biggest EV maker, or the start of a tougher phase as it faces increased competition from the likes of Geely and Xiaomi, as well as heightened regulatory scrutiny. Analysts are still bullish, with 34 rating the stock a buy, compared to just three sells, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Deutsche Bank analysts see BYD's ultra-fast charging batteries, God's-Eye driver-assist features and new models helping drive sales to 5.6 million units in 2026. Chairman Wang Chuanfu blamed BYD's slowdown in domestic sales on a lack of compelling technological upgrades and said during a shareholder meeting last week that breakthroughs are ahead in the years to come.

Competition Curbs

While China's auto industry has long been the beneficiary of government support, the tables turned somewhat this year as part of the country's anti-involution drive pushing back against aggressive price wars and industry overcapacity.

In June, the chiefs of major carmakers were summoned to Beijing and given a dressing down for their "rat race competition." The government also took aim at the practice of offloading unsold cars into the secondhand market while boosting sales figures.

A continued hard line from Beijing could act as a damper on the EV market in 2026. The government has yet to renew its trade-in subsidy that encourages drivers to swap older cars for EVs or more fuel-efficient models. Tax rebates are also set to be wound back next year ahead of their total abolition in 2027, as policymakers look to wean the sector off state support.

The uncertain fate of the subsidies has had the effect of pulling car purchases into the final months of this year and could mean a rocky start to 2026.

Xiaomi's Next Act

Tech giant Xiaomi has enjoyed a stellar year with its EVs, consistently beating internal sales targets — it now expects to deliver 400,000 vehicles this year — and reaching profitability in less than half the time it took Tesla.

But there are constraints to the company's growth. It currently has just two models — the SU7 sedan and YU7 midsize sport utility vehicle — and with just one factory in Beijing, there's a lengthy wait time for its EVs. That should ease with a new production line, speeding delivery for some trims.

For the smartphone and home-device maker's next act, it's reportedly working on a full-size sport utility vehicle to compete with the likes of Nio and Li Auto in the highly competitive premium EV segment. The new model is key to bringing fresh impetus to Xiaomi's small lineup that also may need a refresh to stay competitive.

Global Domination

Given the feverish competition at home, Chinese automakers are accelerating their push into global markets. BYD has been at the forefront, opening factories in Brazil and Thailand, with Hungary and Turkey to follow.

The diversification is paying off, with the stock jumping last week after the company reported that exports climbed even as overall shipments fell in November.

BYD is aiming for export sales of 1.6 million vehicles in 2026, up from around 1 million this year, according to Citi analysts. Geely is targeting 600,000 international sales next year, which would be up to 80% higher than 2025.

Even with the key North American market effectively closed off due to tariffs, Europe, South America, Southeast Asia, Australia and even the Middle East are proving to be fertile ground for Chinese automakers.

Battery giant CATL is also pushing ahead with its overseas expansion efforts in a bid to localize production and be closer to customers, with a key factory in Hungary to come on line next year.

Make-or-Break for Nio

Nio faces a critical year, with founder William Li's goal to reach profitability this quarter looking like a stretch. The company was once the rising star of Chinese EV startups, taking on Tesla in the premium end of the market and building a cult-like following with its clubby Nio Houses and showy investor days.

It has failed to live up to the early promises, racking up $20 billion in losses and counting. The stock is down more than 90% from the heady peak of 2021, when the automaker was valued at almost $100 billion. Sales are hovering around 40,000 a month, a fraction of market leaders.

Nio heads into 2026 with limited visibility of its sales performance, according to Citi analyst Jeff Chung. As more rivals start to leapfrog Nio in deliveries, it adds pressure to its finances and finite cash reserves.

Renault supports France's call for EVs sold in Europe to contain locally sourced parts, but is warning against making the content requirements too onerous. Electric-car batteries are still mostly made outside Europe and are the most expensive part of an EV, Chief Strategy Officer Josep Maria Recasens said in an interview. Rather than single out EVs, the EU should impose a 60% local-content rule across all passenger vehicle types, including combustion models, he said.

Source: Bloomberg Europe

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Adam

Economic

MARKET WRAPS Stocks:

European shares were struggling for direction as the trading week kicked off, with investors turning their attention to the upcoming Federal Reserve policy meeting.

After recent weak U.S. jobs data, the Fed could deliver its third and final 25 basis-point rate cut for 2025 on Wednesday, although the decision is unlikely to be unanimous, Deutsche Bank said.

"We expect Powell to emphasize that the hurdle for further cuts in early 2026 is high, signalling a near-term pause ," it said.

An interest-rate cut by the Fed is fully priced in, while consensus is growing that it will be framed as hawkish, BNY said. That means that further monetary policy easing would depend on weaker data or lower inflation in March and June 2026.

The coming Fed Chair transition also presents a risk , as markets evaluate any new leadership, BNY added.

In Europe, the eurozone's data calendar for the coming week will be light. Italian industrial production data for October are due Wednesday. Final CPI data for November are due Friday from Germany, France and Spain.

Elsewhere, Chinese government data earlier on Monday showed that its trade surplus topped $1 trillion this year, comfortably beating forecasts.

U.S. Markets:

Stock futures inched higher early Monday, led by Nasdaq-100 contracts.

Dovish comments from some Fed officials and the latest U.S. labor market data are supporting the case of a rate cut this week.

However, traders are cautiously waiting for Powell's speech for more cues on the path ahead. "What happens next is the part no one agrees on, " said Swissquote.

Forex:

The euro rose after European Central Bank policymaker Isabel Schnabel indicated that the ECB's next move in interest rates could be a rise rather than a cut , ING said.

Commerzbank said the currency could come under pressure if the EU uses frozen Russian sovereign assets to provide much-needed financial aid to Ukraine.

Such a move could " undermine the attractiveness of the eurozone as an investment destination and, in turn, cause long-term damage to the euro itself," it added.

The dollar fell as investors awaited the Fed rate decision.

Sterling fell slightly as last week's rally lost steam. "We caution that the pound's recent strength could prove fragile if global conditions deteriorate or if attention swings back to the U.K.'s challenges," Monex Europe said.

Bonds:

Global rates could be set to test higher levels , said ING. While the Fed was expected to cut interest rates, it could be cautious about prospects for further reductions and this could put some pressure on yields, it added.

Eurozone government bond yields rose, with the 10-year Bund yield rising to their highest level since March , according to LSEG.

Treasury yields edged higher in early trading hours.

Energy:

Oil prices were steady as investors monitored geopolitical risks and awaited the Fed's decision.

A peace deal to end the war in Ukraine looks distant at the moment, while continued attacks on Russian energy infrastructure raise the risk premium , according to market watchers.

Metals:

Gold inched lower, but continued to be supported by expectations of a Fed interest-rate cut this week and a softer dollar.

Gold's outlook for 2026 is likely defined by ongoing geoeconomic uncertainty , the World Gold Council said.

Copper

Copper prices extended last week's gains, surging to fresh record highs on fears of global supply shortages.

"Supply shortages continue to spark panic buying ," ANZ said.

Iron

Iron ore prices were lower in early trade. On the supply side, cumulative global iron ore shipments in 2025 continue to rise on year, while port inventories are also building, Nanhua Futures said.

EMEA HEADLINES

German Industrial Output Accelerates Again

Industrial production in Europe's largest economy continued to accelerate in October, surpassing expectations as the sector awaits large-scale government investment.

Output jumped 1.8% on month, Germany's statistics agency Destatis said Monday, compared with a 1.1% increase in September. Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal expected a rise of 0.3%.

L'Oreal Doubles Stake in Swiss Skincare Company Galderma

L'Oreal is buying a stake in Galderma from an investor group, doubling its holding in the Swiss company to 20% in a deal that expands its footprint in dermatology.

Financial terms weren't disclosed. The package of about 24 million Galderma shares would be valued at 3.9 billion francs ($4.85 billion) based on Friday's closing price of 162.80 francs. The seller is an investment group led by Sweden's EQT and includes Sunshine SwissCo, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Auba Investment, L'Oreal said.

Repsol, HitecVision to Merge JV With TotalEnergies UK's Upstream Business

Repsol and HitecVision said they would merge their joint venture Neo Next Energy with TotalEnergies' U.K. offshore oil and gas production business.

The Spanish energy company said Monday that under the terms of the transaction, TotalEnergies UK would acquire a 47.5% stake in Neo Next Energy.

Kloeckner & Co Shares Rise on Takeover Talks With Worthington Steel

Shares in Kloeckner & Co surged Monday on takeover talks with U.S. metals processor Worthington Steel.

Shares were 21% higher in early European trade and have now risen 64% in the year to date.

GLOBAL NEWS

China's Exports Bounce Back, Trade Surplus Powers Past $1 Trillion

China's trade surplus has topped $1 trillion this year, with fresh data showing that exports bounced back last month despite a sharper drop in shipments to the U.S.

Outbound shipments rose 5.9% on the year in November, reversing from October's 1.1% drop, government data showed Monday.

Japan Is Out Spending. Bond Markets Seem Nervous About Picking Up the Tab.

TOKYO-Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi says her $135 billion stimulus package will prop up the world's fourth-largest economy.

Some see a danger in swelling a debt pile that is already one of the largest globally. But many economists say fears of a fiscal unraveling are overblown.

German Industrial Output Accelerates Again

Industrial production in Europe's largest economy continued to accelerate in October, surpassing expectations as the sector awaits large-scale government investment.

Output jumped 1.8% on month, Germany's statistics agency Destatis said Monday, compared with a 1.1% increase in September. Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal expected a rise of 0.3%.

Israel Closes In on Hamas Fighters Trapped in Tunnels, Testing Cease-Fire

For most of the year, a couple hundred Hamas militants have manned fighting positions in the tunnels under southern Gaza. But the walls are closing in.

The U.S.-brokered cease-fire in October left them on the wrong side of the line dividing the parts of the enclave controlled by Hamas and Israel. Food and especially water are running low, Arab intelligence and Israeli military officials briefed on the fighters' situation said. And with the hostages and the bodies of all but one of the dead captives now returned by Hamas, Israel has a freer hand to tear up tunnels looking for its enemy.

Trump's Firing Spree Gives Supreme Court the Chance to Remake Government

WASHINGTON-President Trump's firing spree at federal agencies has snowballed into a Supreme Court showdown over how modern American government should work.

Dangling by a thread is the tradition that certain sensitive policy details-from regulating nuclear reactors to setting safety standards for consumer products-should be managed by bipartisan panels of technocrats, whose jobs are insulated from political pressure.

Putin Wanted AI Supremacy. Now Russia Is Struggling to Stay in the Race.

President Vladimir Putin has often proclaimed that Russia must lead the world in artificial intelligence. In reality, the country is stuck on the sidelines as others pull ahead.

As the U.S. and China race to dominate AI models and applications and countries in Europe and the Middle East pour resources into building computing infrastructure, the Ukraine war has derailed Russia's once lofty ambitions.

Trump-Brokered Cease-Fire Crumbles on Thai-Cambodian Border

Thailand's military on Monday launched airstrikes on targets across its disputed border with Cambodia, shattering a volatile cease-fire agreement between the two Southeast Asian countries brokered by President Trump.

Thai officials said they acted after soldiers stationed near the border came under fire from Cambodian troops on Sunday and Monday morning. Cambodian officials, meanwhile, blamed the Thai military for restarting the fighting.

Source: morningstar

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Gerik

Political

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Peace Talks Deadlocked Over Donbas and Security Assurances

Efforts to broker a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, mediated by the United States, have hit a major roadblock as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy revealed that no consensus has been reached regarding control of eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk provinces. Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg, Zelenskiy stated that the various visions of the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine remain fundamentally misaligned, especially regarding sovereignty over the Donbas region, one of the most contested areas since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion.

The core of the deadlock lies in the contrasting territorial expectations. While Ukraine demands full restoration of its territorial integrity, including Donbas, other stakeholders appear to entertain compromise scenarios. This divergence has created a causal impediment to advancing negotiations, with Zelenskiy emphasizing that Ukraine cannot proceed without ironclad security guarantees, particularly from the United States.

Tensions Rise After Trump Criticizes Kyiv’s Stance

Zelenskiy’s comments came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump voiced disappointment with Ukraine’s approach to the proposed settlement, stating that Zelenskiy had not “yet read the proposal.” This public rebuke represents a shift in tone from Trump, who had previously focused on Russia’s response. The criticism places additional pressure on Kyiv to respond to Washington’s framework while simultaneously managing its domestic expectations and long-standing war aims.

Zelenskiy pushed back, pointing out the existential stakes for his country. “There is one question I and all Ukrainians want to get an answer to: if Russia again starts the war, what will our partners do?” he asked, underlining Ukraine’s insistence on binding guarantees that would activate Western support in the event of renewed aggression. This concern underscores a deeper strategic mistrust, where Ukraine fears becoming a buffer zone without firm commitments.

European Engagement Grows as Leaders Prepare to Convene

As the diplomatic situation intensifies, Zelenskiy is en route to London for high-level talks with key European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron. The scheduled meetings are expected to focus heavily on the U.S. peace proposal, especially its provisions related to territorial control and international security assurances.

The inclusion of major European leaders at this stage indicates that the transatlantic alliance is seeking to present a more unified position. However, internal divisions within NATO and differing national priorities could complicate any consolidated front. European powers have previously expressed a more cautious approach to long-term military guarantees, preferring phased security arrangements over blanket commitments.

Ukraine’s refusal to concede control over Donbas without robust security guarantees continues to stall progress in U.S.-led peace talks. As Kyiv balances geopolitical pressures from Washington and Moscow with domestic imperatives of sovereignty and security, President Zelenskiy’s upcoming meetings with European leaders could prove pivotal. Still, without a breakthrough on territorial consensus and Western security commitments, a lasting settlement remains elusive. The coming weeks may determine whether diplomacy advances or freezes further in the shadows of an unresolved war.

Source: Bloomberg

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Gerik

Economic

Commodity

Oil Markets Stabilize After Rally, With Eyes on Russian Flow and Demand Uncertainty

After a brief upward momentum, oil prices retreated modestly on Monday, with Brent crude futures slipping in rangebound trading that has persisted since early November. The market remains constrained within a $4-per-barrel bandwidth, signaling a state of indecision shaped by geopolitical tensions, uncertain demand recovery, and growing concerns about supply imbalances.

A key driver of oil price sentiment is the ongoing realignment of Russia’s crude exports, especially its increasing flow to India. President Vladimir Putin’s recent promise of “uninterrupted shipments” to India has reassured markets about short-term supply stability, though it also signals Russia’s long-term pivot toward Asian buyers in response to Western sanctions. This strategy could alter global trade flows and undercut the impact of sanctions, reinforcing supply levels and contributing to future price softness.

The correlation between Russia’s redirection of exports and Brent’s resilience within its narrow band illustrates how geopolitical maneuvering is now a key variable in crude pricing. With U.S. negotiators arriving in India for trade talks, the strategic energy partnership between Moscow and New Delhi is likely to influence broader diplomatic and energy dynamics.

Geopolitical Tensions Persist but Are Priced In

While diplomatic developments around a possible peace deal between Russia and Ukraine remain in play, they have so far produced limited price disruption. U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent expression of disappointment with President Zelenskiy’s handling of a peace proposal underlines continued uncertainty. Nevertheless, markets appear to have priced in the war’s protracted nature, with only material changes such as a ceasefire or expanded conflict likely to trigger sharp volatility.

Beyond geopolitics, structural supply dynamics are increasingly exerting downward pressure on oil prices. Output is rising not just from OPEC+ countries, but also from major non-OPEC producers including the United States, Brazil, and Guyana. This expanded production base threatens to outpace what remains a tepid demand recovery, setting the stage for potential oversupply in early 2026.

According to Vivek Dhar, an analyst at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Russian oil exports are gradually bypassing sanctions and flowing into alternative markets, making the threat of oversupply more tangible. He anticipates that these conditions will push Brent crude down toward $60 per barrel through 2026, especially if demand growth fails to reaccelerate. This prediction reflects a direct causal link: as new supply increasingly reaches markets unrestricted, downward price pressure becomes a structural inevitability rather than a temporary fluctuation.

Market Outlook Reports Could Reframe Sentiment

The near-term trajectory of oil may be shaped by upcoming market reports from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the International Energy Agency (IEA), and OPEC. These reports are expected to clarify global inventory trends, production adjustments, and revised demand forecasts. If data supports the oversupply narrative or downgrades demand, oil could decisively break below its current range.

Oil markets are navigating a delicate balance of geopolitical maneuvering and supply-side buildup. While political developments around Ukraine and India-Russia energy cooperation have kept Brent trading steady within a narrow range, the underlying risks of a global supply glut remain unresolved. Unless demand accelerates or significant supply cuts emerge, the structural indicators point toward sustained pressure on prices heading into 2026. For now, the market’s calm may prove temporary as economic data and policy reports provide the next directional cues.